POULSBO — Even though they didn’t attend the Miss Viking Fest pageant Saturday evening, lutefisk eating legends Charles Jensen and Eric Perkins played minor roles in the outcome.

After a humorous monologue about the renowned Norwegian delicacy, Jasmine Campbell won the speech competition en route to becoming Miss Viking Fest 2006.

She, along with six other contestants, vied for the crown at Christ Memorial Church in the seventh annual Miss Viking Fest pageant.

“I’m totally in shock and I definitely didn’t expect to win,” said a teary-eyed Campbell as she posed for pictures with Miss Viking Fest princesses Whitney Glebe and Elizabeth Almond.

Campbell, a 17-year-old senior at North Kitsap High School, told judges that she entered the contest to do something “out of the box,” adding that it was something nobody thought she would do.

“It’s all so new to me,” she said as she received hugs from family and friends who cheered for her throughout the pageant.

Even though she is known for her ability on the basketball court, Campbell said her future plans include owning her own dance studio and working as a choreographer.

Campbell also paid tribute to Don Palmer, owner of Bainbridge Disposal, which sponsored her for the pageant. Palmer died April 18, just days before the event.

Before passing her crown and bunad to Campbell, Miss Viking Fest 2005 Kayla McAfee told the incoming Viking Fest court that its reign will be filled with parades and different events and included one piece of advice.

“Even when you get overwhelmed at events, don’t forget the little children, they’re precious,” McAfee said.

Children look up to people like Miss Viking Fest and it’s important to set a good example for them, because they’re watching everything you do, McAfee added.

Miss Viking Fest Princess Whitney Glebe, a 16-year-old junior at North Kitsap High School, was asked the age-old of question of whether it is better to be healthy, wealthy or wise during the impromptu interview part of the competition.

“The most important thing is being wise because you need to be wise do all the others,” Glebe said without hesitation.

Glebe was sponsored by Poulsbo Perk and Wild Horse BBQ.

Fellow Viking Fest Princess Elizabeth Almond, a 17-year-old junior at Olympic College through the Running Start program, explained the meaning of the Norwegian term “uff da” during the speech part of the competition.

“Uff da is forgetting your lines in front of the judges and all of you people when you’re on stage,” Almond said with a smile.

Almond was sponsored by Almond Properties.

Other winners during the competition included:

• Doug McKay Scholarship Award: Jessica Hannah

• Top ticket sales: Katee Barker

• Scholastic Achievement Award: Almond

• Miss Congeniality: Campbell

• Director’s Award for most improved: Deziray Henderson

The Doug McKay Scholarship Award is a $1,000 scholarship and Campbell was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship as Miss Viking Fest. Almond and Glebe received $500 scholarships as princesses.

The Miss Viking Fest court will make its first appearance during Viking Fest 2006, which is slated for May 19-21.